Official Interview: Artell Smith
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Official Interview: Artell Smith

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1. What do you do when you aren't writing?
I am an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business, Center for Professional and Executive Development. My co-author for Taj's Sabbatical is my son, Troy Smith, who is a Captain in the U.S. Army, Wisconsin National Guard and also a Deputy Warden in the State of Wisconsin, Department of Corrections.
2. Tell us about your very first writing attempt.
I write both fiction and nonfiction. My first book was published in May 2023 called No Time to Waste—Microbehaviors: Leveraging the Little Things to Become a Better Leader. The first book has been successfully used in my consulting and teaching activities. I learned a lot during the process of writing the first book that has helped me in writing/publishing 5 additional books, including Taj.
3. Let's discuss your book Taj's Sabbatical. Can you give us a short synopsis for those that don't know?
Taj's Sabbatical focuses on a 30-hour period in the life and work of Taj Varna, a Sol System Enforcer, in the year 2104. The book opens with Taj on the cusp of taking a sabbatical from the Enforcers, but he is suddenly pulled back in due to the kidnapping of his life partner Taddy by the protagonist, Crown Prince Fayzaan of the House of Al-Azidi. Taj and his trust synth, Sammy, set out on a mission to rescue Taddy with the help of his brother, Jayce, mother, Dyani, and father, Fencer (a disembodied intelligence). The action takes place on Earth and Luna. The Crown Prince's nefarious plan includes far more than Taddy's kidnapping, and the reader is treated to intrigue after intrigue as Taj and family unravel the true intent of the Crown Prince which includes nothing less than tearing down the Sol System Kingdom ruled over by King Lothair II.
4. Being set in the future, how did you come up with all the interesting and advanced technology?
I have been a fan of science fiction my whole life. I am particularly drawn to books that use "realistic" technology. Troy and I drew a line 80 years into the future and asked ourselves these questions: "What is logical and likely? What is logical but unlikely? What constitutes a 'big leap'?" We wrote into the book technology that tracks all three of these questions.
5. In the book there are synthetics as well as those who transfer their consciousness. Were these characters difficult to write?
We found it to be challenging to write dialog for the synthetic humans more so than for humans who have been transferred to a disembodied state of consciousness. Ultimately, our reasoning was that synthetic humans were constructed by humans to be helpers and companions and so should look and sound like humans. The disembodied were far easier to write for and describe since they are "conscious and self-aware" in the same way as embodied humans are but with far, far greater skills and talents. We will be exploring both synthetic humans and the disembodied in our next book as well.
6. It seems that family bonds were very important in this story. Why did you make this an important detail in the book?
Taj's story, absent family members, would only be a "police chase." The emotional element of the story could be explored more fully with family also being brought into play. The intense loyalty of Taj to his life partner, brother, mother, and father allowed for a much bigger range of emotional states to be explored.
7. Was there a particular message you wanted to convey to your readers with this book?
Our message: Embrace the next hundred years of human history and technological advancements. While it is true that synthetic humans, disembodied humans, and even general artificial intelligence will cause the "book of life" to be rewritten, we should not fear what my son and I view as inevitable. Naturally, the story itself throws up red flags in many places for all the reader to think deeply about these issues.
8. What's next for you? Any future books?
Yes! Since the publication of Taj's Sabbatical, I have published two additional books in 2024 and am working on at least two more for 2025. First up is an illustrated edition of Taj's Sabbatical, plus the sequel, Festival City. Next is a business book about how managers and employees can co-create a positive work culture together.
I like to end with fun questions.
9. Since this is a sci-fi story, I feel the need to ask your favorite sci-fi franchise.
Without a doubt, the Dune franchise has captivated me since Frank Herbert first published it, and all its many sequels.
10. What hobbies do you enjoy?
I think writing science fiction is my hobby!
11. What's your least favorite chore?
I am not a fan of yardwork. At all.
12. What's on your bedside table right now?
I am re-reading The Last Ship by William Brinkley.
—Neil Gaiman